September 03, 2008
www.northfulton.com
ALPHARETTA -- The license plate scanning camera system launched by Alpharetta in April has snagged its first big bust.
Alpharetta police said they were able to capture an allegedly unlicensed, 18-year-old repeat offender named Victor L. Parson Aug. 28 after an officer on his way home was alerted by what turned out to be a stolen car nearby.
The incident occurred on Ga. 400 south at Windward Parkway shortly after 6 a.m. as the officer was headed home after a shift. His police car had the department's Mobile Plate Hunter 900, a $22,000 computer and infrared camera system that scans every license plate in every direction of the car and runs them through updated criminal databses. Donated in March by the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation, it can read 1,500 license plates a minute.
The system alerted the officer to a stolen vehicle identified as a 2004 blue Ford F-150 allegedly driven by Parson. The stolen status was confirmed through police dispatch, so the officer tried to pull the vehicle over.
However, investigators said Parson fled the scene.
Multiple units chased Parson through Alpharetta until he reportedly dumped the car at the Publix grocery store on Haynes Bridge Road. Authorities found him hiding in a dumpster and arrested him.
Parson was charged with theft by receiving a stolen automobile, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, speeding, driving without a license, obstruction, failure to obey a traffic control device and fleeing and eluding. He is being held in Fulton County jail without bond.
Jail records show he was also arrested July 30 for theft by receiving a stolen automobile, burglary and possession of marijuana. He bailed out Aug. 15 on a $16,000 bond.
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